The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-03-05

Allen G. Thurman was born in Lvnchburg.
VI on the 18th OF November. 1873 His father
NJ clergyman. Rev z. Thurman. and his
c.hcr was the only daughter of Colonel
Nathaniel Alien, of North Carolina, who was
tho adopted son and nephew of Joseph Hewes |
a signer uf the Declaration of Independence.
Judge thurman's parents came to Chllicothe |
in 1919, anG that city was his home until he re-
moved TO Columbus. in 1855, to take his seat on
the SuprC nc Bench of the State.
Judge aurlnan received his public educa- |
ton at the old Chilllcothe Academy, but he is
large'r indebted TO the private instructions of
lis II ,lher for his early mental training.
Ju lge Alfred Yape has given a picturesque
dos''liption of Thurman in youth. He was
! on small boy with what poets in pantaloons
worl,i denominate fiaxcn hair, and versifiers in
grin line golden locks, but what Governor Allen
ana common people call towhcad. His
mother was drilling him in his French lessons.
She continued to superntcnd his education,
directing his reading of authors even after he
left the oIu Chill.cothe Academy a private
institution, and the highest and only one he
ever attended until his admission to the bar.
While attending this academy Thurman's class
mates and intilnatcs were sent away to college
He could not 60, for not only did his parents
find themselves without the means to send
him, but even required his eXertions for
their own support and the support of his
sisters duty which he cheerfuly and eff
cicntly rendered, remaining single and at home
luorc t'l'iN flltie years Gilcr MS 10
the bar, giving large part of his earnings to-
ward the support Of his parents and sisters.
The day his school companions mounted the
stage and went away to college he was seized
with temporary despair. Sick at heart. he
sought the old Presbyterian burying ground,
and laid down upon fiat tomb and wept.
IL. thought that his tears were vain and idle
came TO him with force. He told his sorrOwS
to friend who chanced to be wandering among
the graves and closed his recital with the Sig
nifcant remark: If my school-ielows come
home and have learned more than have they
must work for IT," A number of persons now
well adyanced In years told me when was last
in C'lillicothe that the studious habits OF young
Thurman was matter of town talk, and it is re-
called that light was often seen burning in his
room at four o'clock in the morning. Judge
Thurman still retains his old habits and 1t is
quite the common thing for him TO be up until
two o'c!ocf.
Judge ,phurrnan's early companions never ac-
quircd more knowledge than he did. for he KEEP
studying long after they had been graduated
from their colleges. He taught school, studied,
surveyed and prepared himself for admission to
the bar In the ofice OF his distinguished uncle,
William Allen. He was admitted TO the prac
tco OF law in 1895, and became at once pains
taking and industrious lawyer. He worked
hard in these early years to lay the foundation
for that broad knowledge of the law that made
hin, famous later In life. He was brought into
contact with many bright legal minds at the be
ginning OF his career. Chcothc had u strong
bar. and Thomas Ewing, Henry Stanbery. after
wards Attorney General OF the United States
and Hooking Fl. Hunter, from Lancaster, were
counsel in many important cases in the counties
where Thurman practiced. His progress was
rapid and in n short time he was very generally
acknowledged to be one OF the ablest lawyers In
Southern and Central Ohio. His practice was
large, and It was ali carefully and thoroughly
considered and attended 10. His contempora
ries are unanimous in ,her testimony concern
ing his fine business habits.
Thurman was not q lazy genius. His plead.
res were always tiled at the proper time, and
when the oase was called for trial his brie
showed that every essential authority had beer
consulted and every law principle involved IN
the issue adequately and logically analyzed
The labor which he bestowed upon y case, sayi
one Of his legal friends, to whom am muci
indebted for Information, was remarkable
yycry detail was noticed and its probable enec
considered. The weak points Of his sdversar,
were carefully surveyed, the plan Of assault
upon them skillful arranged, and the vulner
able points on his own side thoroughly pro
tected. Hrs ability for classification and bril-
liant generalization WAS exceptionally nne, IN
vas grounded upon just and keen logic.